AP Psychology Unit 3 section: The Neuron

AP psychology

Nervous system

Nervous system

the body system responsible for controlling and coordinating all of the activities of the body (ex: breathing, digesting food, sensing pain, feeling fear)

Neurons (nerve cells)

basic units of the nervous system that receive, transmit, and integrate information

Glia

cells found throughout the nervous system that aid in the support and functioning of neurons (ex: insulate axons, supply nourishment, and remove waste from the neurons)

Dendrites

 part of the neuron that receives signals from the environment or other neurons and carries information toward the cell body (ex: when we touch something hot and jump back)

Cell body (soma)

part of the neuron that houses the nucleus and other cell parts that fuel energy for cell activity (acts as a generator that produces energy for the neuron)

Axon

thin fiber that carries signals away from the cell body to other neurons, muscles, or glands

Myelin sheath

fatty substance that insulates and protects the axon

Axon terminals

branches at the end of the axon that relay signals from the neuron to other cells

Neural receptor

protein structure on the surface of a neuron cell membrane where neurotransmitters bind to initiate communication

Neurotransmitter

chemical messenger that carries important information from one cell to another

How many individual neurons does the human nervous system contain? What do they do?

billions, they assist with internal communication

What do glia do? What does new research suggest about glia? What happens when there is impaired communication between glia and neurons?

supply nourishment to neurons, help remove waste from neurons, provide insulation around many axons

new research suggests they may influence memory formation and may play a role in experiencing chronic pain

may contribute to psychological disorders

What is the structure of a neuron similar to?

a tree

What part of the tree are dendrites?

branches of the tree

What part of the tree is the axon?

trunk of the tree

What does the myelin sheath do in the neuron? What part of the tree is the myelin sheath?

speeds the transmission of an impulse

tree bark

What part of the tree are axon terminals?

roots of the tree

Summarize the process of information going through a cell

Information comes in through the dendrites, down through the cell body, to the axon (covered by the myelin sheath), down to the axon terminals and fires out to the dendrites of another neuron

How do neurons transfer information?

Neurotransmitters are released from one neuron and attach to neural receptors on a neighboring neuron

Where are neurotransmitters released from?

released from synaptic terminals and travel across synapse

What is a synapse?

the gap in between neurons

What is re-uptake? Why is it important? What is impulse?

the process of the presynaptic neuron takes in the excess neurotransmitters back in

VERY important because it keeps our chemicals balanced, balances the neurotransmitters

when the neurotransmitters are caught by the postsynaptic neuron

What do inhibitory neurotransmitters do? What do excitatory neurotransmitters do? Can neurotransmitters be inhibitory and excitatory?

limit or slow signals

propel or increase signals

yes

Acetylcholine (Ach)

• Influences muscle action, learning, and memory

• Receptors are stimulated by nicotine

• Abnormal levels may lead to Alzheimer’s disease

Dopamine

• Excitatory neurotransmitter

• Involved with movement, learning, attention, and emotion

• Abnormal levels may influence onset of schizophrenia and Parkinson’s disease

Serotonin

• Affects mood, hunger, sleep, and arousal 

• Has been connected to aggression and impulsive behavior in humans

• Abnormal levels have been linked to depression and eating disorders

 Norepinephrine 

• Helps control alertness and arousal

• Assists in regulating mood

• Abnormal levels can lead to anxiety and have been linked to depressive disorders

GABBA (gamma-Aminobutyric Acid)

• Major inhibitory neurotransmitter

• Assists in regulating anxiety, arousal, and sleep

• Abnormal levels have been linked to anxiety, seizures, and insomnia

Glutamate

• Major excitatory neurotransmitter

• Involved with memory and learning processes

• Abnormal levels linked to migraines, seizures, and schizophrenia

Endorphins

• Released in response to pain and intense exercise

• Assist in regulating eating behavior and response to stress

Name the 7 common neurotransmitters from the notes

Acetylcholine (Ach), Dopamine, Serotonin, Norepinephrine, GABBA (gamma-Aminobutyric Acid), Glutamate, Endorphins